Romance in the air

In the film Mukta’s character,who is based in Mumbai,goes to Pune for some work. There she ends up meeting Swapnil and the two are forced to stay with each other due to circumstances. Culturally and traditionally,there has been a bitter-sweet relationship between the people of these two cities,and the film endeavours to tackle both the sensibilities. “When Puneites come to Mumbai,Mumbaites make fun of them and vice versa. It’s quite endearing actually and since I am shown to be hailing from Pune,it will be part of our squabble and romance,” smiles Swapnil. Much like When Harry Meets Sally or One Fine Day,we ask. “The format may be the same,but there’s no similarity in the story,” quips the actor.

Interestingly,Swapnil who has been busy on the Hindi and Marathi television circuit has appeared only in a few Marathi films and that too in multistarrers. “That’s because I am not in the race for No.1 actor in Marathi films. TV is my bread and butter,so I am extremely choosy about the films that I do,” informs Swapnil whose Target – Ek Lakshya,hit the theatres last month.The film,which had its premiere in Abu Dhabi is about five friends who do nothing but chill,a la Rang De Basanti till one incident adversely affects all their lives. “I play Swapnil who has seen a lot of unsavoury things in life,and is very quiet,expressing his feelings through his eyes.” His earlier outing as a smooth-talker in Checkmate had won him the State Award. “What I liked about the role was till the end he seems to be a negative character when in fact he is the opposite,” smiles the actor.

Swapnil,who started his career playing little Krishna in the mythological series of the same name,went on to play the lead in many Hindi and Marathi serials. But he catapulted to fame with Comedy Circus. In fact,the actor has teamed with Ali Asgar in the fourth season of the series. “The show is an amalgamation of theatre and TV. It has the reach of TV,but creatively it is theatrical,” offers Swapnil who is now co-judging a Marathi laughter show Phoo Bai Phoo with Nirmiti Sawant. Thanks to his comic streak,the actor’s career is on a roll now. He is seen in the Hindi comedy play Teri Bhi Chup,Meri Bhi Chup and a sitcom Bajega Band Bajega on Doordarshan. Soon he will be seen playing a character Vinay Chand adapted from renowned Gujarati author Shahbuddin Rathod’s works in a serial Papad Pol on SAB.
However,it is his forthcoming Marathi release that has Swapnil dreamy eyed. “I am sure Mumbai Pune Mumbai will open the segment of pure romatic films,” he says confidently.